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Padres recall Vincent for fresh bullpen arm

Padres recall Vincent for fresh bullpen arm

5/30/13: Nick Vincent enters the ninth inning and strikes out a batter in a 1-2-3 inning

By Corey Brock and Jamal Collier
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MLB.com |

SAN DIEGO -- The last time that Padres reliever Nick Vincent did his job well, he found himself on a plane back to Triple-A Tucson.

"It's part of the game," Vincent said on Tuesday.

Vincent was added to the roster before Tuesday's game against the Braves with pitcher Burch Smith on his way to Tucson, where he'll rejoin the starting rotation.

Vincent gives the Padres a fresh arm in the bullpen and someone with Minor League options, meaning he could find himself on the way back to Tucson if he's pressed into duty.

That's what happened when the Padres needed 17 innings to defeat the Blue Jays on May 31, a contest that saw Vincent throw 36 pitches over three scoreless innings, his longest stint since 2010.

"It was a fun game," Vincent said.

Vincent was optioned back to Tucson the following day as the Padres, in need of a fresh arm, promoted left-handed reliever Tommy Layne.

"It's not that disappointing … you know you did your job and helped the team win," Vincent said.

Vincent made four appearances with Tucson and didn't allow a run in 3 2/3 innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. Vincent was 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 11 appearances in May for Tucson.

Vincent might have been a part of the Opening Day roster had he not developed an inflamed tendon in his lower right forearm near the end of Spring Training. He said it wasn't until the end of April when he finally felt like himself again

Smith joined the Padres on June 8 from Tucson but didn't make an appearance.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. Jamal Collier is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.